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Endovenous Thermal Ablation or Endothermal Ablation (ETA) is the generic term for all methods of treating refluxing superficial veins using heat energy delivered from inside the vein under local anaesthesia. ETA is now the NICE recommended way of treating varicose veins and should have completely replaced stripping. When laser is used as the energy source the treatment is called <a title="Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment for Varicose Veins" href="https://www.consultingroom.com/Treatment/evlt_endovenous-laser-treatment" target="_blank">Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)</a>. Radiofrequency may also be used as a form of ETA for Radiofrequency Ablation or RF Ablation (RFA). According to a study by CJ Evans et al in 1999, varicose veins are present in approximately 1 in 3 adults in the Western world. Treatment of varicose veins is generally considered to be a medical matter, although the main implications are usually cosmetic, in that people don’t like to live with the appearance of them, usually on their legs. Pain and discomfort are also a factor. Sufferers are often referred by their GP to a vascular or vein specialist for diagnosis of the problem and to discuss treatment options. Unlike thread or spider veins, varicose veins are situated beneath the skin, being skin coloured or bluish-green and more than 2mm in diameter. They are more serious than thread veins and they can be painful (or achy) and are a sign of leg pump or venous failure, almost always superficial venous reflux. Different treatment options are available for varicose veins. Traditional treatment is ligation or tying of the affected veins and stripping them from the leg. This a surgical procedure which requires general anaesthetic and up to six weeks ‘down time’ away from work. As well as being painful, this also leads to the veins growing back again in the majority of cases, a process known as neovascularisation. Although still available on the NHS, this is considered by many vascular specialists to be an outdated and unnecessary form of treatment. Other options include foam <a title="Sclerotherapy" href="https://www.consultingroom.com/Treatment/microsclerotherapy" target="_blank">sclerotherapy</a> where a sclerosant substance is injected in the vein causing the vein walls to collapse. In 1999, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Prof. Mark Whiteley became the first person in the UK to perform ETA using radiofrequency energy – Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) - to generate the heat inside a vein, thus destroying it and allowing it to be reabsorbed by the body without any regrowth. The procedure was performed using ultrasound guidance, via a tiny keyhole incision of 2 or 3mm. If you are considering Radiofrequency Ablation for varicose veins, the following information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. It can't answer all your questions, since a lot depends on your individual diagnosis. Please ask your vascular specialist about anything you don't understand.

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